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Nutrition

Understanding food labels and making healthier choices

April 28, 2016

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Have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to read food labels at the grocery store? How many times have you stood there trying to figure out whether this is a nutritious product or not? What is GMO? Does organic really matter? Is there sugar in this? Let alone trying to pronounce half of what is on the label! Well my friend, you are not alone. It can be a tricky area to navigate, especially when some companies are “hiding” bad ingredients under different names or using clever “key words” to grab your attention.

How to preserve without pickling

April 27, 2016

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Fermentation is a process involving a group of microorganisms, primarily bacteria, known as lacto bacilli. These bacteria live in anaerobic environments and go through a metabolic process that converts sugars to lactic acid or alcohol. They are everywhere and humans have a symbiotic relationship with these bacteria. They make it possible to grow food, assist us to digest food and we in turn act as an incubator for these bacteria.

Whether from breast or bottle, we have you covered

April 18, 2016

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Weaning can be an emotional journey, whether you have made the decision to wean from breastfeeding or the bottle for personal or medical reasons. For some families, the few minutes of quiet time spent snuggled with their child while feeding can feel like the only downtime in the day.

Although the journey of weaning can be a process for both you and your child, there are numerous ways to maintain the bond you’ve worked so hard to create.

Signs that may tell you your child has an allergy

April 14, 2016

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Most of us are familiar with the common signs and symptoms associated with severe allergies. These include: tingling or itching in and around the mouth, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat, wheezing, restricted breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness or even fainting. Being a seasoned vet, you know when to dial 9-1-1 when those types of allergic reactions occur. However, how familiar are you with the more insidious signs of allergies, especially food intolerances, in your child?

Tips on welcoming your child into your kitchen space

March 29, 2016

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Having your children help in the kitchen with meal preparation or clean-up is fabulous! Preparing your kitchen in a way that is safe and child-friendly is also a great idea. This could be for preparing them to help in the kitchen, allowing easy access to snacks and beverages, or even giving your toddler a place to feel welcome while you cook! Here are some tips for making it easy for your children to snack healthy on their own, ways for you to prepare your kitchen for their help with meals and clean-up, as well as ways your toddler can enjoy kitchen-time too!

Preventing and recognizing post-partum depression

March 24, 2016

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Once the immediate excitement settles after giving birth, the steep learning curve that comes with taking care of your baby and embracing your new role as a parent can be overwhelming. You’re also likely still healing from the physical challenges of birth. It’s common for these changes to take a toll on your mental health - you’re not alone! Up to 75% of women experience “postpartum blues” in the first few weeks of parenthood, with symptoms including tearfulness, sadness, irritability, mood swings, and feeling overwhelmed.

Helping to eliminate toxins and restore your body's balance

March 23, 2016

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Since the early 1900’s the chemical industry has developed and released roughly 78,000 substances into the environment. The list includes but is not limited to pollution, pesticides, household items like non-stick pots, shower curtains, cosmetics, personal care products, dental amalgams, furniture laden with flame retardant chemicals, and cleaning compounds.

Explore the wonder of health benefits these weeds offer us, naturally

March 9, 2016

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Weeds can have a negative connotation in nature, considered to be invasive, over-run and under valued. Despite the quantity of wild weeds that can be cultivated each year, it is not commonly practiced.

There is a social stigma associated with them and in recent years the basic understanding of their benefits, uses, and applications have been lost. Even for those who recognize the importance of them often purchase them as bulk dried herbs not realizing they can be found in their back yard!

You are likely familiar with the herbs you use in your kitchen daily, but did you know that herbs have been used medicinally for millennia? They are quite easy to grow on your own as well. As a permaculturist, I look to natural patterns to make my garden more efficient and functional, and a ubiquitous one is the spiral. An herb spiral takes advantage of vertical space for growing - thus saving you a lot of precious garden terrain.

What this health craze is all about

February 25, 2016

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Bone broth is one of my favourite healing foods. Packed with amino acids, fats and minerals, it serves as one of the best natural gut healing resources we have at our disposal. As naturopathic doctors, we often include bone broth in our digestive protocols.

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EcoParent is a quarterly magazine for families that want to make healthier, greener lifestyle choices. Fun and inspirational in tone – and never judgmental – we appeal to the already eco-savvy, but remain accessible to the newly eco-curious. Food, fashion, books, travel, health & beauty, home & garden, and so much more!